• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • image-112d3d00Helwan Brigadier 9mm Range Report
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
        • m142Too Tough to Die: The M14
        • craft holstersCraft Holsters Makarov Tuckable IWB Holster Report
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
        • The Gallagator 10 day pack on the shoreline next to a hiking trail.Day Pack – Mystery Ranch Gallagator 10 – The Best Yet?
        • PXL_20240209_171721326Pic of the Day, It’s Graduation Time
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
        • craft holstersCraft Holsters Makarov Tuckable IWB Holster Report
        • rs3CIVIVI RS71 Review : Big Blade Energy
        • civivi2Civivi Brazen Review: The Best Budget EDC Knife under $75?
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise

Which Would You Choose for Survival? Shotgun vs. 22

So which is it? The shotgun or the 22 caliber rifle? I made my case against the shotgun for survival in the previous installment but readers like you have made me reevaluate. So what is the game changer? Shotgun adapters. Shotgun adapters are machined steel cylinders that mimick the shotgun shell but allow the user to fire other rounds of ammunition be it a smaller gauge of shotgun or even centerfire or rimfire ammunition meant for rifles or pistols. But are they practical to use in survival?

Inspired by the readers and commenters in the last installment, I reached out to Short Lane in Miles City, Montana for help. They are makers of fine shotgun adapters in various lengths, gauges, and calibers of the highest quality and they were kind to send a few my way to test. Here is a full review of some of their products.

Shotgun adapters are machined to fit into a shotgun like a shell intended for the gun but is bored, reamed, and sometimes even rifled, to shoot a smaller round. For example, an adapter can be had for a 12 gauge shotgun that fires mild and light .410 gauge ammunition or even .22 LR cartridges. But not all is perfect.

Shotguns are imperfect solutions to imperfect survival and so are adapters . But here is the good news about having adapters in your survival kit.

1) They allow you to carry a variety of ammunition. If you had an adapter that uses 22 LR rounds, you can carry a lot more ammunition to hunt small game. But you can still pack some bird shot and slug shells, just in case.

2) They weigh only a few ounces. This means you can have the ultimate versatility with little trade off. Your ratio of ammunition can be adjusted, if necessary.

But shotgun adapters have a few downsides too.

1) They are a piece that may be lost. An adapter is another piece to go into the kit and it is another piece that may be lost but the good news is that some models (like some Short Lane models) feature an O-ring that keeps the adapter in the gun until you mean to take it out.

2) They are only accurate at shorter range. The adapters only stabilize the projectiles the length of the adapter itself and therefore won’t have the accuracy of a gun made for that caliber. That does not say that bullets fired from adapters will not reach out with accuracy, but it definitely takes practice and best accuracy is at short range. But small game hunting is usually a short range affair anyway.

Share This

About the Author

Mark3smle Terril Hebert aka Mark3smle is the guy behind the one man show at the Mark3smle YouTube channel. When he isn't working on the next gun review, he is at his desk writing. He is the author of The Devil's Dog series of mystery books.

See All Mark3smle Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Helwan Brigadier 9mm Range Report
    Helwan Brigadier 9mm Range Report
  • ARES Watch Company Diver-1 & Field Watch: Unstoppable Tactical Watches for Land & Sea
    ARES Watch Company Diver-1 & Field Watch: Unstoppable Tactical Watches for Land & Sea
  • Removing Rust From Firearms? No Problem
    Removing Rust From Firearms? No Problem
  • The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
    The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Ajita Sherer on Vakarian Plate Carrier Review: Elite Comfort and Modularity for Under $300
  • Josiah on Vakarian Plate Carrier Review: Elite Comfort and Modularity for Under $300
  • Woox Store on Tommy Gun Madness: The Thompson Submachine Gun

Latest From SOFREP

News

SOFREP Evening Brief: Israel Confirms Killing of Top Hamas Commander Mohammad Sinwar, Germany Pledges to Help Ukraine Build Long-Range Missiles Without Western Restrictions

Entertainment

Stealthy Sips: Inside the CIA’s Top-Secret Starbucks

War Stories

Col (Ret.) Nate Slate: Iraq – Into the Biblical Wilderness

Naval Special Warfare Group ONE Marks 50 Years of Service

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers